Abstract:
We examined how the experiences of World War II and Korean War veterans,
including prewar, warzone, and postwar factors, affected PTSD symptoms in later life.
This dissertation consists of two studies. In Study 1, four different hypotheses from a
lifespan approach were examined (King et al., 1996): stress evaporation (only
childhood experiences are important); residual stress (only warzone experiences are
important); stress vulnerability (childhood and warzone experiences interact); and
main effects (independent contribution) hypotheses. The main effects hypothesis was
supported: we found independent contributions of prewar, warzone, and postwar
factors in predicting PTSD symptoms. However, there was stronger evidence for the
stress vulnerability hypothesis, given that cohesive and conflictual childhood family
environments, age at entry, negative homecoming, and additional stressful life events
moderated the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD symptoms. Cohesive
early childhoods mitigated the effects of combat exposure on PTSD symptoms, while
the other variables increased the effects. The results supported King et al.'s (1996)
previous research, but extended it by testing the vulnerability hypothesis, and
identifying protective as well as risk factors.
In Study 2, we contrasted the utility of the continuity and discontinuity
hypotheses from life course theory in modeling the impact of military service during
war on PTSD symptoms in later life. From the discontinuity perspective (Elder &
Shanahan, 2006), both positive turning points (difficult early childhood but positive
military service appraisals leading to fewer PTSD symptoms) and life course
disruption hypotheses (positive childhood but negative military service appraisals
leading to more PTSD symptoms) were partially supported. Positive turning points
were seen only in veterans who entered military service at an early age, whereas life
course disruption was seen regardless of age at entry but primarily among those with
conflictual childhood environments. Structural equation models found evidence for
the cumulative advantage as well as cumulative disadvantage hypotheses, reflecting a
continuity perspective (London & Wilmoth, 2006), but the timing of military service
was not a significant factor in continuity hypothesis. This dissertation provided
evidence for the utility of both lifespan and life course approaches to understanding
the effects of military service in late life.
